On Tuesday nights in Richmond Hill, there’s a race that is truly designed for all comers. In the tight Centennial Trails parking lot, as bikes get unloaded from trunks, the rider’s mindsets are all over the place. There’s everything from “maybe I shouldn’t” to “how many years has it been?” to “where is your helmet?” There are people who come for a ride, those who’ve come to race, and those who are there for the post ride popsicles. Over time the organizers, Jamie in particular, have developed the most inviting race vibe I’ve ever experienced. 

For a lot of riders (and especially families), the biggest barrier isn’t fitness or skill,  it’s the threat of the unknown. Where do I go? Will I be in the way? Is this too intense? Will my kid get bored? Will I spend the whole time managing logistics instead of riding?

The King Race Series reduces that friction by becoming a weekly rhythm. Jamie says it plainly: “I hardly call it a race series. It’s a scheduled ride every Tuesday.” To that end, there is no official starting gate – rather it’s just an agreed upon spot on the grass beside the gazebo. 

What it is

At its core, King Race Series is a community-based mountain bike night that runs every Tuesday through the season. The structure is simple enough that it doesn’t intimidate beginners, but meaningful enough that serious riders still show up and push hard.

It’s a full spectrum crowd: fast racers, steady recreational riders, parents, kids, and people who are there mostly because it’s fun and it gets them outside. The mix is what makes the vibe work — competitive without being sharp-edged, social without being chaotic.

The kids ecosystem (why this series feels different)

Most race environments tolerate kids. The King Race Series is structured like it expects them.

There’s a dedicated kids course designed specifically for confidence and skill-building without turning the night into a traffic jam. The course is built around their abilities — less about climbing, more about handling and technique — so kids leave feeling capable instead of crushed.

Jamie’s emphasis on the tone matters here too: “There’s really no egos… it’s a family fun night of playing bikes.” 

Parents aren’t just hovering at the edges, either. During the race on the kids loop, you’ll see parents riding with their kids, and sometimes even jogging alongside them — turning it into a shared family moment instead of a drop-off.

How the course stays fresh (without needing “big” terrain)

One of the most impressive parts of this series is how it keeps riders coming back week after week without feeling repetitive.

The forest isn’t huge, but it’s dense with options: connectors, variations, and lines that can be combined into endless new routes. Across a full season, small changes keep the night feeling new — a different turn here, a new link there, a subtle shift that makes you pay attention again.

The format: easy to understand, fair for everyone

King uses a timed structure — 45 minutes plus a lap — which the organizers say is one of the simplest ways to create a fair event for a wide range of abilities. Faster riders can stack laps. Newer riders can settle into their pace without feeling like they’re “in the wrong place.”

The Centennial Trails are in a public park, which means dog walkers and other park users are part of the evening — and riders are expected to share space respectfully. That matters, because it’s how a weekly event stays welcome long-term.

The part people don’t talk about: what happens after

When the riding is done, the night doesn’t just end. People stick around. Kids cluster in packs. Adults debrief the course, laugh, and make next-week plans.

There’s a real social gathering feel. This might sound unimportant, until you realize it’s the glue. That’s how a “race series” becomes a community ritual: a shared ending that feels fun and human.

Season and where to find details

The series runs Tuesday nights from late April through the end of August, wrapping right before school starts. Kids and adults can pay per race or buy a season option. Details are posted online (ontrail.ca, their website, OCA calendar, and the series’ social channels). 

In Order to Grow, You Must Be Inviting

Ontario mountain biking grows when it becomes routine — when it’s accessible enough to bring kids, welcoming enough for beginners, and consistent enough that it turns into a community.

The King Race Series isn’t just an event. It’s a weekly anchor that makes riding feel like something you can build a life around.